Features for optical shape sense enabled device identification

Abstract

A system for generating a manual input on a shape sensing fiber includes a shape enabled device ( 102 ) including one or more shape sensing optical fibers. An input device ( 106 ) is configured on a portion of the one or more shape sensing optical fibers, wherein a change in optical shape sensing data associated with the input device distinguishable from other shape sensing data, generates an input signal. A processor system ( 112 ) is configured to receive the input signal and perform an action responsive to the input signal.

1 . A system for generating a manual input on a shape sensing fiber, comprising:
 a shape enabled device including:   one or more shape sensing optical fibers; and   an input device configured on a portion of the one or more shape sensing optical fibers, wherein a change in optical shape sensing data associated with the input device distinguishable from other shape sensing data, generates an input signal indicative of a triggering of a change in the input device; and   a processor system configured to receive the input signal and perform an action responsive to the input signal.   
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the shape enabled device includes a medical device. 
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the input device includes one or more colored bands to designate a region of the one or more shape sensing optical fibers where the input signal is generated. 
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the input device includes one or more textured bands to designate a region of the one or more shape sensing optical fibers where the input signal is generated. 
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the input device includes one or more bands of different stiffness to designate a region of the one or more shape sensing optical fibers where the input signal is generated. 
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the input device includes a mechanism configured to generate the change of the one or more shape sensing optical fibers distinguishable from other shape sensing data. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of shape enabled devices each including an input device; and   a display for rendering a representation of each shape enabled device thereon, such that activating the input device of an active shape enabled device causes an effect to distinguish the active shape enabled device from other shape enabled device on the display.   
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a feedback device to indicate to a user when the input signal has been received. 
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the feedback device includes one or more of acoustic, vibratory, visual and temperature feedback. 
     
     
         10 . A system for generating a manual input on a shape sensing fiber, comprising:
 a shape enabled device including:
 one or more shape sensing optical fibers; and 
 an input device configured on a portion of the one or more shape sensing optical fibers; 
   a processor;   memory coupled to the processor, the memory including:
 an optical sensing module configured to interpret optical signals from one or more shape sensing optical fibers, the optical signals including shape sensing data and an input signal generated by a user by changing the one or more shape sensing optical fibers; 
   wherein the input device is configured to cause a change in optical shape sensing data associated with the input device which is distinguishable from other shape sensing data, to generate the input signal indicative of a triggering of a change in the input device; and   wherein the processor and memory being configured to receive the input signal and perform an action responsive to the input signal.   
     
     
         11 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the input device includes one or more colored bands to designate a region of the one or more shape sensing optical fibers where the input signal is generated. 
     
     
         12 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the input device includes one or more textured bands to designate a region of the one or more shape sensing optical fibers where the input signal is generated. 
     
     
         13 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the input device includes one or more bands of different stiffness to designate a region of the one or more shape sensing optical fibers where the input signal is generated. 
     
     
         14 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the input device includes a mechanism configured to the change of the one or more shape sensing optical fibers distinguishable from other shape sensing data. 
     
     
         15 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a plurality of shape enabled devices each including an input device; and   a display for rendering a representation of each shape enabled device thereon, such that activating the input device of an active shape enabled device causes an effect to distinguish the active shape enabled device from other shape enabled device on the display.   
     
     
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